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Resolve the property
Match the address to its parcel, zoning context, and responsible permit authority.
What we check
What a building permit application usually needs
AHJ and Project Scope
The first question is who reviews the work. A city, village, township, county, or special district may control the permit. The project scope then determines whether the package needs building, zoning, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or other trade review.
Zoning and Setbacks
Many building permits start with zoning. Reviewers may check setbacks, lot coverage, height, easements, floodplain limits, historic districts, accessory structure rules, and whether the proposed use is allowed at the address.
Site Plan and Drawings
A site plan shows the lot, existing structures, proposed work, dimensions, distances to property lines, driveways, utilities, and other constraints. Larger projects can also need floor plans, elevations, framing details, energy forms, or engineering.
Contractor and Owner Rules
Some AHJs let homeowners pull permits for work on their own residence. Others require licensed or registered contractors, bonds, insurance certificates, notarized owner affidavits, or subcontractor lists before review can start.
Fees and Review Comments
Fees may be flat, valuation-based, square-foot based, or split across building and zoning departments. If the reviewer finds missing information, the permit pauses until corrected plans, forms, or contractor details are submitted.
Inspection Sequence
Approval is not the last step. Many projects require inspection milestones such as footing, framing, rough trades, insulation, final building, and certificate of occupancy or completion. Work that gets covered before inspection can create expensive rework.
Process
Where People Lose Time
The slowest permit applications usually fail before submission: wrong AHJ, no zoning check, missing site plan dimensions, unregistered contractor, unclear scope, or drawings that do not match the actual project. A clean first package is often faster than a rushed application that triggers corrections.
Per state
State-specific notes
IL
Illinois
Illinois permitting is highly local. Chicago, suburbs, townships, and counties can each use different forms, contractor registration rules, zoning checks, and inspection procedures.
Explore Illinois permit rules
WI
Wisconsin
Wisconsin projects can involve local permitting plus state residential code expectations. One- and two-family work may need UDC-aware review, local zoning approval, and scheduled inspections.
Explore Wisconsin permit rules
IN
Indiana
Indiana permit requirements vary by city, county, and local code adoption. Some projects trigger county-level review, local zoning review, or separate trade permits depending on scope.
Explore Indiana permit rulesWatch for these
Common building permit permit mistakes
- Starting construction before the permit is issued
- Submitting to the wrong AHJ or missing a county/township layer
- Forgetting zoning, setback, easement, or lot-coverage checks
- Uploading a site plan without dimensions or property-line distances
- Covering work before the required inspection
Next permit paths
Related permit guides
Zoning permit guideWhat zoning permits check before building review: setbacks, use approval, lot coverage, site plans, overlays, and location rules.Open guideHow long building permits lastPermit expiration, extension requests, inactive permits, inspection activity, final signoff, and closeout records.Open guideBuilding without a permit guideStop-work orders, permit violations, after-the-fact permits, retroactive review, inspection, and closeout.Open guideEgress window permit guideBasement escape openings, window wells, clear opening size, drainage, and inspection sequencing.Open guideElectrical permit guideNew circuits, panel upgrades, outlets, EV chargers, GFCI/AFCI protection, and rough-in inspections.Open guideMechanical permit guideHVAC equipment, furnace replacement, air conditioner installation, mini splits, gas work, venting, and inspections.Open guideHVAC permit guideFurnaces, AC units, mini splits, heat pumps, ducts, gas work, electrical disconnects, and inspections.Open guidePlumbing permit guideWater heaters, fixture changes, drain lines, sewer or water service work, and plumbing inspections.Open guideFence permit guideHeight limits, setbacks, sight triangles, easements, and neighborhood-facing fence constraints.Open guideRoofing permit guideLayer limits, roof replacement triggers, underlayment, licensing, and inspection expectations.Open guideDemolition permit guideTear-down scope, utility disconnects, asbestos checks, debris handling, and site restoration.Open guideManaged permit helpFor broader projects where you want Permitech to research the path and help organize the filing steps.Open guideMilwaukee shed permit guideA verified local guide path showing how broad permit intent connects to address-specific AHJ content.Open guide
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